Glacier Natural History Association
The Glacier Natural History Association (GNHA) is a nonprofit organization that works in coordination with the National Park Service. The Association was created to help support the educational, interpretive, scientific, and cultural needs of Glacier National Park. Funds are raised for these programs through membership fees, and the sales of books at ranger stations, visitor centers, and the GNHA online bookstore. The GNHA also publishes many booklets, pamphlets, and other material that promote a better understanding of the Glacier region. The Association provides information on the diversity of the Glacier landscape, plant and animal life, culture, and history.
Headquarters for the GNHA is located in the Historic Belton Depot.
The GNHA received the depot as a donation from the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1991. Offices and the bookstore are open Monday through Friday.
Before you plan your trip to Glacier, the GNHA online bookstore is a good place to do research. The online bookstore offers many books that pertain to the Glacier area. You can find posters and maps, as well as books and videos on history, flowers, animals, birds, Native Americans, National Parks, and more. There are also many educational books for children.
The 2005 donation by GNHA to Glacier National Park, totaled $148,815.
This is the largest aid package ever donated in the Association's history. Previous aid packages have funded such programs as the Native American Speaks series, the park newspaper, internships through the Student Conservation Alliance, and museum and library assistance.
Over 760,000 free publications provided by the Association were distributed to visitors in 2004.
The 2005 aid package will be used for enhancing the interpretive abilities in the St. Mary's Visitors Center. Native American history will be a main focus, and the Association hopes to build an authentic Native American encampment nearby. With enough funds, the park and the Association eventually plan to replace all of St. Mary Visitor Center's exhibits, and build a performance area next to the building.
If you would like to contribute to Glacier Natural History Association, becoming a member is easy. You can choose between several different memberships: individual, family, contributor, corporate, and benefactor. Annual fees range from $12.50 to $1,000, depending on which membership you sign up for. Members receive a 15% discount on items purchased from GNHA outlets and the online bookstore, a biannual subscription to Goat Notes newsletter, and the opportunity to attend meetings and membership events.
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